Blush Basics 101

Swatches of a few of the blushes that I use (all powders)
Notice the colours don't really stand out, they more blend in.
I have a warm undertone, so the colours that works
the  most magic on me are yellow based pinks, corals and peaches. 

What does blush actually do? It gives you the ‘perfect glow’. "When your cheeks have healthy color, your complexion looks more radiant."  Below are a couple of things to take into consideration when choosing, purchasing and applying blush.

1. Getting the correct shade

Which shade will work magic on you? Getting the correct shade and colour blush for your complexion is the most important step. For olive skin, this usually has a warm undertone, think warm — peach and copper. If you're fair with a cool undertone, your best bets are natural pinks ranging from pale to a rosy hue. Tip: Shimmer free colours look more natural.

2. What formula do you prefer?

Blushes come in creams or powders. Choosing one really just depends on what type of look you prefer. Cream blushes are more translucent and give a natural, lit-from-within flush; also, they won't settle into fine lines, however they which add a sheen, which can highlight zits. Powders tend to stay on the skin longer and are better if you're oily or breakout-prone. They also tend to have more pigment.

3. The correct brush size

Smaller brushes do a better job. Makeup artist Brigitte Reiss-Andersen says the ideal brush is domed with densely packed bristles "and has a head no wider than a two-liter bottle cap." 

4. Perfect your blush placement

Start by swirling it on the apples of your cheeks (those spheres that pop out when you smile). Then, for a bonus youth-ifying effect, blend it back along your cheeks toward your temples, fading it into your skin about an inch from your hairline. Blend the color so it looks natural.